Lap tray



C. A. CRAMER Oct. 1', 1957 LA? TRAY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 10, 1953C. A. CRAMER Oct. 1, 1957 LAP TRAY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 10, 1955United rates LAP TRAY Charlotte A. Cramer, New York, N. Y.

Application July 10, 1953, Serial No. 367,170

1 Claim. (Cl. 229-30) This invention relates generally to trays, andmore particularly to a tray structure suitable for support by the lap ofa user. There are many occasions when a low cost disposable tray adaptedto be supported by the lap of a user can be effective. Among these arepicnic lunches, food or drink served while people are watchingtelevision or listening to the radio, cafeteria use, in stationarylocations, as well as in planes and trains, for sewing, and certainindustrial applications.

It is therefore among the objects of the present invention to providelap tray structure which can be stored compactly in a fiat form, andwhich may be easily and readily assembled to form a set up tray.

Another object herein lies in the provision of the structure of theclass described which has means for retaining loose articles so thatthey will not easily slide off the tray or become upset. This feature isespecially useful in the handling of small vessels containing liquids,drinks or soups.

Another object herein lies in the provision of a tray which may be usedon the lap of the user and which is adapted to have the upper surfacethereof maintained in a level condition.

Another object herein lies in the provision of a collapsible lap table,which in the erected condition thereof, is sufficiently rigid tomaintain the articles used thereon in proper condition.

A feature of the invention resides in the multiplicity of uses to whichit can be put, including: as a game board or support, as a support forwriting or drawing, handwork such as embroidery and sewing, for theassembly of small parts or articles, and for the carrying of food orother objects such as drugs or instruments in hospitals.

These objects and other incidental ends and advantages will more fullyappear in the progress of this disclosure and be pointed out in theappended claims.

In the drawings in which similar reference characters designatecorresponding parts throughout the several views of each embodiment:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a first embodiment of the inventionas set up.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 2-2 withthe device in use.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view as seen from the plane 33 onFigure 1.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the device in flattened condition, andunassembled.

Figure 5 is a view in perspective showing a second embodiment of theinvention.

Figure 6 is a rear perspective view of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view as seen from the plane 77 onFigure 5.

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 8--8 onFigure 5.

Figure 9 is a plan View of a development of the device of i igure 5 asflattened or unassembled.

2,808,191. Patented Oct. '1, 1957 ice s In accordance with theinvention, the tray, generally indicated by reference character 10,comprises broadly a top panel 11, a bottom panel 12, a front panel 13, arear panel 14, side panels 15 and 16, side locking members 17 and 18,handle members 19 and 20 and a rear locking member 21. V

The tray 10 is preferably fabricated in the form of a planar blank 25which maybe die cut from any suitable sheet material, preferablycardboard: The top panel 11 is provided with a plurality ofslits 26, 27and 28, which are of a size and shape to frictionally receive thelocking members 17, 18 and 21 respectively. In other words, it isdesirable that the said locking members have a close fit as theirfrictional retention .maintainsthe tray 10 in its set up position, 1 Thesafety of articlescarried by the tray is assured, however, since theweight of the articles, such as the glass 22, and the plate .23, isborneby the handle members 19 and 20 when the device is carried, and isborne by the bottom panel 12 whenthe device is resting upon the lap ofthe user. l j, i

The top panel 11 is alsoprovided with a plurality of partiallyperforated areas24. Thus, the areas 24 1 nay be pushed through asneeded. and they willfallontg the upper surface of the bottom panel 12(see Figure 2). The areas 24 may be of predetermined size adapted toconform to the articles with which the device 10 is to be used.

When the article is relatively tall, its bottom may rest upon the uppersurface of the bottom panel 12 as is the case with the glass 22.

In order to facilitate the assembly of the various parts of the device,the blank 25 is preferably provided with a series of score lines 30, 31,32, 33 and 34.

In order to assemble the device, it becomes necessary only to take theblank as viewed in Figure 4, and to bend the rear panel upwardly aboutthe score line 32 and the side panels 15 and 16 upwardly about the scorelines 33 and 34 respectively. The top panel is folded upwardly andrearwardly about the score line 30, and the front panel 13 is foldedupwardly and rearwardly about the score line 31, whereupon the lockingmember 21 may be pushed through slit 28, and the locking members 17 and18 may be pushed through slits 26 and 27.

As may be seen in Figure 2, the front panel 13 is of greater height thanthe rear panel 14, and this difference enables the bottom panel 12 tolie at an angle while the top panel 11 is substantially horizontal.

Where the position of the thighs of the user would be reversed, as forexample, where the feet of the user were placed upon a foot rest causingthe rest to be higher than the buttock, then the rear panel 14 could betaller and the front panel 13 shorter.

It is to be noted that the locking members 17, 18 and 21 in projectingabove the upper surface of the top panel, act as fence means to preventarticles which are not disposed within the areas 24 from accidentallyrolling off the said upper surface. 7

When the tray has completed its service, for carrying food for example,napkins and/or other disposable utensils may be pushed through any oneof the areas 24 so that the tray then acts as a container for refuse.

Turning now to the second embodiment of the invention illustrated onFigures 5 to 9, inclusive, for the purpose of avoiding needlessrepetition, certain of the parts corresponding to those of the firstembodiment are given the same reference characters with the addition ofthe prefix 1.

The second embodiment is useful, where the functions performed by thebottom panel 12 of the first embodiment are not required. Punch outs,such as the areas 124, may be used with conical objects, whose shapewill prevent them from falling through the opening. The front panel 113is provided with a pair of upwardly extending indentations 151 and 152,which are adapted to rest upon the legs of the user, the portion 153acting as adownward projection' to anchor the device between the legs ofthe 'user. The fold line 130-isprovided with irregularly shaped cuts,154- and 155, which form projections 121a whenthe device is erectedas-seen inFigures 5 and 6, and serve as fence means. p

The side panels and 116 extend into secondary side panels 115a and116a,-the latter carrying the handle members 119 and 120. Therear edgeis curved to accommodate-and make a close fit with the users body. Theouter edges of the front panel'113 ha'ifelocking tabs and 171 which areadapted to pass through the slits 172-473 and 174 175 respectively. Thisconnection is best seen in Figure 7. I V

In setting up the device 110, thesidepanelsllS and 116 are foldeddownwardly about the score lines 180, 181, while the panel 115a and 116aare folded upwardly about the score lines a and181a, the parts takingthe position best seen in Figure 6. a ,7 p a The outer freeedges a and 191a project above the top panel 111 to act as side fence members.

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be 25 limited 'to theexact details of construction shown and described, for obviousmodifications will occur to a person skilled in the art to which thepresent invention relates. t

I claim:

Collapsible tray construction comprising: a top panel; a bottom panel; afront panel connecting said top and bottom panels; a pair of trapezoidalside panels extending upwardly from said bottom panel; a rear panelconnected to the rear edge of said bottom panel; said side panels eachhaving a handle extension thereon and said rear panel having a lockingextension thereon; said top member having a plurality of slits; saidextensions being projectable through said slits, said front panel beingof a greater height than said rear panel and said top panel having aplurality of openings for the reception of articles. 7

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS920,180 Potter May 4, 1909 1,323,170 Dodge Nov; 25, 1919 1,380,561Kaufmann June 7, 1921 1,684,002 White Sept. 11, 1928 2,172,172 MountSept. 5, 1939 2,547,716 Murphy Apr. 3, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 651,199Great Britain Mar. 14, 1951

